Vargulfs overview vampire counts 8th edition warhammer

What are Varghulfs

Varghulfs are vampires who have descended into the animalistic and bestial side of their dark nature. Abandoning any last vestiges of humanity the vampire becomes a wild savage hunter with an insatiable thirst for blood. This loss of control affects the vampire in other ways as their body devolves into the beast that they have become, this and the vast amount of raw meat the vampire regularly feasts upon turns them into horrific muscle bound monsters with a bat like appearance. They grow vestigial wings finishing in massive claws they use to deadly effect. These unreasoning blood hungry ferocious beasts are known as varghulfs.

In the game

Varghulfs are a rare choice monster for vampire counts in 8th edition warhammer fantasy battle. The only change from 7th edition to 8th although small is quite a large one in games terms, the varghulf's initiative increases from low 2 to an above monster average 4. This makes them less likely to succumb to initiative test spells such as the pit of shades from the lore of shadow. Also as a monster the varghulf gains the thunder stomp special rule against infantry and war beasts.

With a decent stat line backed up with hatred, regeneration, terror, undead, vampiric and bestial fury special rules Varghulfs are a force to be reckoned with and for a reasonable points costs.

Pros and cons

Pros are the varghulf is a decent reasonably priced monster which if sent against the right targets should survive the battle relatively unscathed. It decent cost means it is a distraction for your opponent who will have to divert a decent unit and his attention to dealing with it hopefully leaving other units in your army alone.

Cons are although fast moving Varghulfs do not have the swift stride rule which would have made them that bit faster, also the leadership test to be able to march will often be failed slowing them down further again. A wise opponent will have likely equipped a powerful character or unit with flaming attacks, especially considering the amount of regeneration vampire counts seem to get now. These characters and units are likely to make short work of a Varghulf.

Tactical uses

Varghulfs are relatively cheap and make effective wizard and war machines hunters, though they are less useful in 8th for chasing down fast cavalry due to the restrictions on their movement. The new thunder stomp rule also makes them better at taking down small units of infantry particularly missile troops or other troops with low strength. They are also likely to draw fire from the war machines they are hunting so saving other parts of your force from being shot up.

They also make a good unit to use to tip a combat in your favour whilst pinned down by one of your other units. Makes sure this is a combat that you will win otherwise the crumbling effect of the undead rule will quickly kill your varghulf.